Tuesday, March 31, 2009

I enjoyed this one very much. There are three adventures shared: Plink, Crash, and Plunk. These two friends--plus Bert--have some exciting adventures together. In the first one, Plink, Houndsley wants to go canoeing...but with Bert out of town...Catina is his only companion. And he hates how Catina talks, talks, talks, all the time when they're out on the lake. In Crash, Houndsley is the unfortunate recepient of a bicycle. He doesn't know how to ride it, and is too scared to admit it. Can Bert and Catina teach this dog a new trick? In Plunk, Catina is brave and seeks to conquer her fear of the water with the help of her friends Bert and Houndsley. Together, these three can do anything!

Monday, March 30, 2009

I loved this one. It's true. (Granted I love elephants. I do. And I've always had a thing for mice in picture books. So cute and adorable. And there are so many great books starring mice out there, there's always something to delight in!) It stars Tiny, an elephant, and Hercules, a mouse. These two are great friends. And in this picture book, we see the two star in many adventures together. These small adventures pack in a whole lot of fun! Let me tell you. They had me smiling the whole time. Rather the pair are ice skating, painting, knitting, or throwing a birthday party for a friend, they're always good for a smile and a laugh. They're just charming characters to get to know. I think you'll enjoy this one as well!

Friday, March 27, 2009

This bedtime board book features 'songs' for you and your little one to share together. Whether you sing or read these to your precious one, the book is enjoyable. It does feature a CD with the songs. (The CD is roughly 17 minutes.) Some are original songs. Others are twists on classics. (Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star = Twinkle, Twinkle, Count With Me). Some use classic tunes but original (new) lyrics. (Mamas and Their Babies to the tune of The Itsy Bitsy Spider).

Here's a bit from Rock-a-bye Seasons:

My little pumpkin,What do you doEvery fall seasonWhen sleep time is through?

Do you pick applesSo red and round?Or gather up leavesThat fall to the ground?

My little snowflake,What do you doEach winter morningWhen sleep time is through?

Do you go walkingThrough the white snow?and wear big red bootsWherever you go?

To catch up on the other two seasons, seek this book out for yourself...

I love this book. I do. It is cute. It is precious. It is sweet. It just makes your heart happy to read about this wee little chick. Okay, it makes my heart happy. I suppose there might be a few heart-hardened people out there who think this one too cute and sweet. But I'm not one of them. No, I loved everything about this one. Wee Little Chick is the littlest out of all the new baby chicks. But his mama hen has nothing but love for her wee little chick. As he is introduced to all the barn animals, this little one has a way about him all his own.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

For anyone who has ever had a bad mood--a persistent bad mood, this one is for you. Meet Big Rabbit. A bunny with one bad mood--a bad mood that is big and bad and that follows him here, there, and everywhere. Big Rabbit tries to be good and get rid of it. He tries calling a friend; he tries listening to music; he tries watching tv; he tries eating a snack; but this ONE bad mood that is sticking to him like glue. And not only that, this is a bad mood with BAD habits. (Booger-leaving habits!) After catching his bad mood in the act, he remembers what he hopes will be his cure-all for any and every problem: his mommy! Surely if anyone can make the bad mood disappear it will be his good old pancake-making mommy!!! But even that seems to have failed as he calls and she's too busy for him...at the moment. What's a big rabbit to do? What would you do? Read and see for yourself if this bad mood ever gets vanquished!

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

This one is a fun one. I won't lie. Do you see a duck? Do you see a rabbit? In this playful picture book--the reader is invited to play along with the two bickering narrators?! I loved the illustrations by Tom Lichtenheld. They were definitely playful and fit the mood of this one perfectly.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Lullaby and Good Night. 2008. Scholastic. Illustrated by Janet Samuel.

A song with a dinosaur twist. This is a fun board book great for little one's bedtime treat. It's a book that sings. Okay. Maybe sings isn't quite the right word. It plays the song. Just press the star, and voila, the moon lights up and away you go...

Lullaby and good night,lullaby, sleep tight.Soft and warm in your bed,close your eyes, rest your head.Lay you down, have no fear,Mama's kisses are near.Lullaby, have no fear,Papa's kisses are near.

It goes on, of course, but that gives you a taste for what this book is like...

I just love this series of books by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. Have you read Little Pea and Little Hoot? If you haven't, you should! You really should! In this one we meet Little Oink, a pig who does NOT LIKE being messy. A pig who loves to clean and be clean. A pig who when he grows up will let his own children clean their rooms as often as they like! Tired of being told he has to be messy, Little Oink endures until his make-a-mess chores are complete and his playtime (clean, clean, clean) can begin!

Friday, March 20, 2009

Who’s That Truck? is an introduction to just a few the characters of Trucktown.The characters are fun to read aloud and introduce in your best announcer’s voice.The names are fun to say in general, such as Dump Truck Dan.The illustrations bring the trucks to life and give personality to them.

There are 14 characters in the various books, and this book introduces six of them.There is Jack Truck, Dump Truck Dan, Payloader Pete, Monster Truck Max, Cement Mixer Melvin, and Garbage Truck Gabriella.

VROOM! follows the same characters first introduced in Who’s That Truck?The goal is to teach road signs and their corresponding colors.There are pop out signs on each page, and on the final page, there is a puzzle, of sorts, where the youngster can put the signs in their correct spots around Trucktown.

This book combines a lot of information for little minds.Not only are they learning that a stop sign is red but they are learning that red signs “mean rules…no dumping, no stopping, no parking.”

One can view the information as overwhelming or as an opportunity to reinforce the lessons with many readings.The puzzle pieces are a great way to reinforce the ideas.

Meet Jack Truck! is an introduction to the series’ main character, as well as more information about a few of the other characters of Trucktown.Each page gives the reader insight into the personality of the trucks and things they like to do.While Ladybug loves the idea of this series and its goal to teach pre-schoolers valued lessons, this particular book falls down on the job.

Ladybug is at a loss to determine what this book is attempting to teach, except perhaps bad manners.Jack Truck seems to this reader to be rude and selfish, not thinking about what his friends like but only what he likes.For example,

Jack loves falling rocks!

Jack also likes slippery pavement and spaghetti roads.

Schreeeeeeeeeeeeeeech!

Cement Mixer Melvin does not like falling rocks,

slippery pavement, or spaghetti roads.

The illustration shows Jack Truck knocking down rocks and speeding past a cowering Cement Mixer Melvin.This parent would like her son to be a better friend by participating in an activity both can enjoy rather than sending one cowering to the sidelines.

Bad manners and “potty jokes” are something that kids will learn eventually and do not need to be taught in a book.Another example:

Jack Truck honks for his buddy

Monster Truck Max.

Max jumps in a pile of old bathtubs and toilets.

“Check this out.I’m a pottyhead!”

Max loves any potty joke.

Every parent must make up their own mind.For an older child who is already well-read in “potty” humor this may seem appropriate.But for most 4 year-olds, Ladybug thinks this may be a bit much.

The Trucktown series is geared toward pre-schoolers and kindergarteners which explains why one-year old Snugglebug was not interested in them in the least.The lessons are sometimes a bit tough to grasp, but they are fun to read aloud.Having not read the entire series, Ladybug cannot comment on the series as a whole, but would suggest parents read the books first before presenting them to their naive pre-schoolers and kindergarteners.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Noodles is a dog, a white dog, that does NOT want to be kissed. When he hears a car, sees that it is Auntie Judy, he runs and hides. Quickly. Auntie Judy loves to kiss Noodles. Can Noodles outsmart Auntie Judy? Can he find the perfect hiding spot? Can he stop the kissing from happening? Or is he a doomed pooch? Read and see for yourself in this early reader. It's a cute story for dog lovers of any age!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Would you let your fears keep you up at night? That's just what Scaredy Squirrel does. He's afraid to go to sleep. Afraid to dream. But it's not easy not sleeping. He has to think of ways to stay awake. And the lack of sleep is effecting his life. (In fact, if this goes on, he might have had to change his name to Cranky.) One day Scaredy Squirrel reads his horoscope. It reads that all his dreams will come true at midnight. What's a squirrel to do? Come up with a game plan and fast! What's his plan? Wouldn't you like to know?! Read and see for yourself if this Scaredy Squirrel can conquer his fears once and for all and have a peaceful night's sleep!

Monday, March 16, 2009

To put it simply, this is a fun story. How would you react--if you were a chicken--if you heard that the farmer's wife was making soup? Such is the case in Chicken Soup. One animal after another passes along the rumor--she's making soup!--so this flock of chickens dash off to hide. But one little chick can't find a good hiding place. He's a sick little chick. And his sneezing always gives him away. As the clomp, clomp, clomp of the farmer's approach brings dread to this little one...all seems to be lost. Is there hope for this little chick? Or has this rumor been all a misunderstanding?

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Wing, Natasha. 2009. The Night Before St. Patrick's Day. Illustrated by Amy Wummer.

This is a rather fun seasonal title by one of my favorite authors, Natasha Wing. As you can guess from the title, the book is a play on the poem "The Night Before Christmas." Can Tim and Maureen trap a leprechaun and trick him into revealing where his golden treasure is? Or will the joke be on them? Read and see for yourself.

For those parents dying to introduce surrealism to their babies--and really who doesn't fall into that category?--your wait is at long last over. Introducing Magritte's Imagination. The book uses eleven pieces of art by Rene Magritte combined with simple text by Susan Goldman Rubin. On the one hand, the text is simple and cohesive. It weaves all the pieces together into a story--a bit of a fantastical story grounded in the imagination over reality--but a story nonetheless. Here is how it begins: "All aboard! Choo! Choo! Where do you think we'll go?"

I'm not sure how practical the book is. Other books in the series include Andy Warhol's Colors, Counting with Wayne Thiebaud, and Matisse Dance for Joy. And though I haven't seen those, they sound a bit more practical. Concept books about colors and numbers? Sounds like it's reasonable for a board book. Dance? Well, babies and toddlers do like to dance. As soon as they can stand on their own, dance just happens. The moving and shaking is just too cute. So a board book about dance, sounds like it could work well. I'm just not all that sure about babies needing to know about the art of Magritte...to learn to imagine a world where "eyes and noses grows on trees and apples grow on faces..." I'm not trying to stifle imaginations and curb future artists-in-the-making. I just think a picture book might be a better format than a board book for reaching the best audience, the more appropriate audience.

I'm certainly not a baby. So I suppose that I could be wrong here. This book could have magical sway over babies everywhere. I'd have to see it in action--in the hands and mouths of babies--to know how wrong (or right) I was.

Using eleven artworks of Jacob Lawrence as illustrations, Susan Goldman Rubin has written a board book that describes the sights and sounds of city life. Some of the pages are great, "Busy City! Beep, Beep, Beep!/ Builders Buildin' Rat-a-Tat," Other pages seem to have an older reader in mind. "And you and I In School/ Count my numbers 2, 3, 4./ I'll show Mom when I get home. Won't she be so proud of me?" The story is surprisingly cohesive considering that she's basing the text on classic pieces of art covering several decades. (The earliest being 1936 and the latest being 1974.) I can see a book like this being good for introducing art/art appreciation to children. The bright, bold colors. The scenes of ordinary life. The vibrancy of it all. But is a board book really the best format for such a book? As a picture book, I can see it working within an elementary school setting. But as a board book for babies and toddlers? I'm having trouble seeing it. I'm a firm believer that board books are for babies. That they should be books for babies about babies. The best subject matter for board books are baby-type things. Once a child has learned to not put things in their mouth, once they know that books aren't for chewing, once they know that books aren't for tearing and ripping...then it's time for picture books. For some that might be two or three. Maybe. But I have a hard time seeing a baby or a toddler really grasping the text of the book. It holding their attention. It grabbing their interest. Most of the book features older children--elementary-aged children--doing things that big kids do. Even if some things go over their heads, at times a book can still be enjoyed because of the rhythm of it, the sound of it. I'm not sure this one can be considered such consistently. As I said, I think some pages are better than others. Can they appreciate the illustrations? Maybe. The bold and bright colors. I like the idea of introducing even the youngest to great works of art. I'm just not sure it works as a board book. If this was a picture book, I would be thinking it was good.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

This one is just too-adorable. A must-have for young fish-lovers everywhere. Meet this cute little fish as he (or I suppose it could be a she) introduces you to his pond--the shiny stones, the waving grass, the lily pads, and his family. Cute concept. I love the little finger puppet that is built into the back of the book.

These foxy sisters are back for another adventure. Sibling rivalry, fox style. Zelda is the older; Ivy the younger. In the first chapter, the reader learns that Ivy is not so good at keeping secrets. Zelda sets up Ivy and her friend, Eugene, by telling them both a secret. It's all good fun. Surprising? Not really. Secrets are hard to keep sometimes. In the second chapter, Zelda decides to prank Ivy. Ivy did start off teasing Zelda, so does she deserve it? Maybe, maybe not. Read and see for yourself if Zelda's prank goes according to her plan. In the third chapter, we see how differences of opinion can be resolved--Ivy and Eugene want to be quiet; Zelda wants to be loud, loud, loud. Who will have the last laugh?

Meet Joe the giraffe and Sparky the turtle, two friends who are as different as can be. Do they let their differences stand in the way of their friendship? No. In four chapters, these two have plenty of adventures. The fun begins when Joe 'wins' a car. Soon these two have escaped from the Safari Land zoo and are off to have adventures in the nice strange world of the city. What trouble can these two get into during the course of a day? Read and see for yourself!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

This bible story collection features the stories of Kenneth N. Taylor and the art of Richard and Frances Hook. Both are "classic" in the sense that they're familiar and beloved by multiple generations. Taylor's stories have been appearing in books since 1979. I remember gleefully reading "The Book for Children" when I was in elementary school; it was released in 1985. (That book which appears to have last been printed in 2000, is out of print now--at least according to Amazon.) To get back on task, the Classic Bible Storybook contains 121 stories based on the Bible. 68 of these come from the Old Testament. 53 of these come from the New Testament. (In case that sounds disproportionate, remember that the New Testament has many letters in it; these epistles don't lend themselves easily to stories.) Each story is short--written with brief attention spans in mind--and sweet. Parents can easily see where each story comes from--the book, chapter, and verse references. After each story, there are a handful of questions. Illustrations are sprinkled throughout.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

The winner for the 2 board books (Amazing Baby series) published by Silver Dolphin....is MJ. I've sent an email. But if that's you--and you haven't received an email from me--then feel free to email me with your mailing address.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Snugglebug loves Macdonald’s Alphabet Animals so much that for his first birthday his mama, Ladybug, purchased another of Macdonald’s books.

Fish, Swish, Splash, Dash is an unusual counting book in more ways than one, making it an especially fun book to read.The illustrations are actually cut-outs with the colors of the next page showing through.Snugglebug loves sticking his fingers through the cut-outs.

The second aspect of the book is that it is really two books in one.Once you get to the end of the book, you turn it around and count backwards to the cover.It can be a never ending story because once you reach number one it again invites you to turn the book around and count to ten again.

This book is fun and one that Snugglebug can grow into as he learns to appreciate counting in both directions.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

This book is part of a series, the Starting Art series. Earlier titles include 1 2 3 I Can Draw, 1 2 3 I Can Paint, 1 2 3 I Can Sculpt. Granted I've only read this title--1 2 3 I Can Collage--but if the other titles are anything like this one, I must say that they'd all be must-haves for the classroom, the library, and the home.

(I think they'd be great to have if you homeschool your children. They might make you feel more comfortable, more confident, in introducing art to your children's day without feeling overwhelmed because you yourself are not an expert.)

We have within the book step-by-step projects. Everything sounds so simple, so straightforward, so direct...and so fun.

I love the note she includes for parents and teachers:

3 Tips to ensure a good collage experience every time

1. Use inexpensive materials and make sure your young artist's clothes and the work area are protected from spills. This way it's all about the fun, not the waste and the mess.2. Focus on the process rather than the end product. Make sure your young artist is relaxed and having fun with the information instead of expecting perfection every time.3. Remind your young artist that mistakes are an artist's best friend. The most interesting collage ideas and paper combinations are often discovered by mistake.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

I like this one I do. It's simple. It's straightforward. It's informative. It gives just enough information for young readers. Not too overwhelming, but not too babyish either. After first defining what a forest is--the first two-page spread--the book covers a variety of animals that live in the forest: black bear, chickadee, lynx, wood frog, woodland caribou, wolverine, loon, snowshoe hare, and wolf. Each two-page spread covers an animal--we learn about five facts per animal.

The illustrations. I love the illustrations by Pat Stephens. They're so detailed, so realistic. They just charmed me. I was expecting to say that nature books should always, always, without exception be illustrated by photographs. (That's just a little pet peeve of mine.) But now, after seeing her work, I know that rules were meant to be broken now and then.

This one is definitely recommended for young animal lovers everywhere!

Kaner, Etta. 2009. Have You Ever Seen a Duck In a Raincoat. Kids Can Press.

Are you curious about animals? Are you always asking questions? Then maybe just maybe this book is for you. The book features a boy and girl asking questions--some of which seem silly--about animals. Questions include "Have you ever seen a duck in a raincoat?", "Have you ever seen a jackrabbit in shorts?", "Have you ever seen a whale in a parka?", etc. There are seven question and answers included in this book. (Though this book appears to be one in a series of books.)

I said the questions seem silly. But really, when you're curious, you're curious. And I admit--to this day even--asking some seemingly bizarre or silly questions of my parents. The book is about how humans and animals are different.

The text is informative and straightforward. No problems there.

Though you can't tell from the cover, Have You Ever Seen a Duck In A Raincoat features some of the worst illustrations I've ever seen in a book--published by a real publisher at least. It's not that the illustrator can't draw animals--he can; he does. It's that his human characters--this boy and girl--are so poorly drawn. (That's not even including the embarrassing shot of a grown boy riding a tricycle.)

Monday, March 2, 2009

Sadler, Judy Ann. 2009. (Released March 1, 2009) The New Jumbo Book of Easy Crafts. Kids Can Press. 176 pages.

Though I've never had a crafty bone in my body, I thought some of you might be interested in this one. (It's not that I didn't want to be uncrafty. But I've always made such a mess of things I spent much of my life banned from glue and tape.)

There are over 150 crafts within The New Jumbo Book of Easy Crafts. Each craft uses both text and illustrations to show readers how to make the craft in question. The crafts are organized into four themes: imagine and create (play dough, clay, fold-a-book, egg-cup chick, acorn-head doll, etc.); wear and use (pasta jewelry, fleecy fringed poncho, tin-can stilts, braided bookmark, etc.); make and play (tissue-box dollhouse, bead buddies, paper-plate shaker, sock sack, bead-toss game, etc.); and decorate and celebrate (decorating eggs, fuzzy flowers, valentine doily, greeting cards, snowflakes, party favors, etc.).

One winner will receive two board books. Which two books...two books from their Amazing Baby series...

Rainbow Fun! From the publisher: "It’s time to have some rainbow fun, let’s meet the colors one by one! Smiling red flowers, swimmy orange fish and buzzing yellow bees dazzle little ones in this delightful introduction to color. Created especially for babies 6 to 18 months old, this sweet little take-along book features engaging illustrations, bright colors, and simple rhyming text to stimulate verbal and visual development. So, little one, how many colors do you know? All the colors of the rainbow! "

and the second board book included in the giveaway....

Five Little Ducks...

From the publisher: "Five little ducks went out one day, over the hills and far away! Have fun and amaze your baby with this favorite counting rhyme in the new title from the award-winning team at amazing baby. Five little ducks! introduces little ones to numbers and the concept of counting with engaging, colorful illustrations, touch and feel elements, and the well-loved nursery rhyme. Babies and their grown ups are sure to have a ‘quacking’ good time!"

How to enter:

1) For one entry, just leave a comment on the post which includes your name and email address. (If and only if your email is linked on your profile page may you leave that bit off. But if I can't find an email address on your comment, profile, or blog then I won't be able to contact you if you should win.)

About Me

Becky from Becky's Book Reviews and Young Readers and Operation Actually Read Bible. Also Behind the Scenes. I love reading. Always have, always will. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are mine and mine alone. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of my friends, family, or other group affiliations. Email me at laney_poATyahooDOTcom
No one has permission to reprint my reviews on their own site. Even if they give me a link.